On a foggy September 27, Hodgdon Yachts of East Boothbay launched the 154-foot ketch SCHEHERAZADE for Bill and Barbara Stewart of New York and Mt. Desert. She is the largest sailing yacht in New England, indeed on the east coast and some say in the western hemisphere. She has been four years a-building and she
In storms, York Harbor protects its own boats first
Hurricanes Isabel and Juan piqued the interest of York’s harbormaster, Gordon Parry, but neither storm inspired any action to protect the more than 300 pleasure and fishing boats in his care. “We have a loose emergency plan,” he says. “Nothing formal.” The fact is that York Harbor is very protected, totally landlocked except for the
The Cranberry Report
For more than 10 years we’ve published the Cranberry Report, authored periodically by our estimable correspondent on Islesford, Ted Spurling Sr. As Ted’s many readers know, the Report is a journal of community goings-on, summer and winter, in the Cranberry Isles. Recently Ted informed us of his intention to retire; he’ll continue contributing stories to
Oil company has no “definite” plans for seismic exploration of Nova Scotia
Despite local press and media reports that that seismic testing is planned for the waters off Cape Breton and Sydney Bight in Nova Scotia, a company spokesman says there are no such plans. Such testing would be carried out to explore the possibility of oil and gas reserves. “We do not have any definite plans
Taking Care
Last April, a month or so before heading up here for the summer, Rutherford Lodge, aged 99, of Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, settled down in his study to reflect on the passing of Hannibal Brown, who had died during the winter at age 101, and on the long history Hannibal and his descendants shared with Rutherford
An ill wind for Nova Scotia fishermen
This was not what Nova Scotia fishermen needed right now – Hurricane Juan sweeping across the province destroying boats, gear and sheds. Ernest Fage, the Minister responsible for the Emergency Measures Act, put the damage total at $100 million, and the province has promised $10 million in assistance. But the Garrison family in Sambro, about
Sandy Thomas to leave Institute
We are disappointed to report that Sandy Thomas has decided to step down as Vice President of Programs at the Island Institute. Beginning in November she will take up full time work with IGERT, the organization for which she currently holds a part time management position. The Island Institute’s innovative programs department is a credit
Canadians argue over the state of their cod stocks
Are Newfoundland cod stocks recovering? Fishermen claim that they are and cite new federal survey reports as evidence. A federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) scientist says that such optimism is premature and that the recent reports are “indices” not “assessments.” But Dave Decker, secretary-treasurer of the Fish Food and Allied Workers, counters that
On the Ropes: Maine fishing communities confront Amendment 13
Oct. 15 marked the end of the official public comment period on the New England Fisheries Management Council’s strategy to rebuild groundfish stocks. The council actually developed four alternative stock rebuilding strategies, and members took their show on the road to gather testimony from all over New England. Maine’s fishing community showed up in force
The Long View: Where one size doesn’t fit all
Ever since this summer, lobster landings have been substantially down all along the coast of Maine. But prices have been higher, and the usually make-or-break fall lobster run is still in progress, so the net impact of any downturn will not be apparent for several months. Still, any hiccup in this last crucial sector of